Tuesday, December 30, 2008

There is nothing worse then waking up on New Years day with a champagne hangover. To prevent the horrid hangover I add a drop or two of bitters to every glass. They add bitters to champagne to make different types of champagne cocktails but I also find that it does the trick to preventing champagne hangovers. Bitters also mutes the sweetness of champagne and is great to add if you happen to be drinking a less expensive bottle this New Years.

I don't really know how I feel about The City. I've been watching Lauren Conrad go through her real/scripted life for quite some time now. I'm not sure if I watch it because I care or because I feel obligated to her as a part of my routine. Whatever the reason I have managed be a part of the demographic of girls that feed into this media phenomenon. Now that its come to my coast I don't know if I plan on being as loyal to Whitney Port. I find it weird that they are eating at restaurants I go to and even weirder that they are pretending to work for women I have worked for. There has always been something bizarre about the grey area the Hills creates between real life and scripted and it becomes a little too bizarre when their fake life over laps with my real life. Do we really need to watch a show about a life that we are living? Isn't it a waste of time?

I loved Whitney's character in the Hills for her personal style, which I find FLAWLESS. I just wish the show was more geared towards her personal style and not her personal life. A younger Rachel Zoe project based out Manhattan was what I was looking forward to and instead it was 30 mins of her getting eyes rolled at her by Socialiterank.com reject Olivia Palermo. I admit that I plan on giving it another week to decide. Either way though I will continue to look at still images on MTV.com to check out her outfits!

I'm on a quest for an outfit for New Years. My New Years is going to be low key this year but I still want a fun party dress. When I think New Years I think sequin mini dress... when I think sequin mini dress I think Tory Burch. The idea of a Tory Burch sequin mini dress is kinda last New Years BUT if it works stick with it! Left : Tory Burch Sequin dress $957 Right: The alternative Forever21 Sequin Stripe dress $32.80.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

I think its the snow on the ground that has got me craving Latin music and mojitos. I've been listening to Pacifika while doing my last bit of Christmas wrapping. Download Libertad and Oyeme to get a feel for their sound.

Monday, December 22, 2008

* Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson* Merry Christmas Ya'll by Tristan Prettyman* Christmas Tree by Lady GaGa* Sleigh Ride by Ella Fitzgerald* River by Sarah McLachlan* Jingle Bells by James Taylor* Maybe Next Year by Meiko

Friday, December 19, 2008

If you are anything like me this weeks paycheck is going towards gifts for others! But, lets say, you just have to get yourself something for the holidays you could always pick up a pair of these J. Brand mid-rise straight leg jeans!

After surveying some guys/boys I know I came up with my top 4 favorite gift ideas. What I gathered from the lists is that guys like things they can play with. Not one guy asked for clothes, a tie, or cologne.... interesting. If you can turn it on, plug it in, or throw it on your body before you throw yourself down a mountain, they want it!

After the 2 hours and 48 mins of watching Benjamin Button's life there is not much to be curious about. I got antsy in my seat about 3 times during the flick. Do I think that Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett are absolutely phenomenal, Yes! Do I think it was a little on the long side, Yes! Imagine Forest Gump minus that amazing 2 disc soundtrack. The movie is definitely worth seeing, just make sure you grab a coffee before hand.The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has already been nominated for 5 Golden Globes.Opens Christmas Day.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Rarely do I walk into a store and fall in love, but tonight at Kat Burki Home in Southport, my experience can only be described as that. I attended a cocktail party at the newly opened store as a part of the town of Southports annual Holiday Stroll. As soon as I walked in the door I was hit with the most amazing scent of tuberose, which was coming from Kat Burki's signature scented candles (there is also a soap!). After I secured a candle I made my way around the two levels of Kat Burki's custom designed furniture. Kat Burki, a Westport resident, is an interior decorator turned designer who had to take creating the perfect pieces for her clients into her own hands. Every piece was elegant yet livable, which makes sense since she has spent years developing clients visions into reality.

I've recently been on a mission to eat healthier. Up until about a month ago my diet consisted of a bagel and chi latte for breakfast, spicy shrimp roll from Balducci's for lunch, and whatever was in my fridge for dinner. Can't say there was much nutritional value anywhere in that line up. But the sad truth of the matter is that I have no time at all to plan ahead and make healthy meals. Whatever I am going to eat needs to be quick and easily accessible. Luckily, I've found it with Kashi's Black Bean and Mango meal. I know, frozen meals totally gross, and trust me I would be the first person to rule this out based simply on that fact, but the Black Bean and Mango is amazing! They are cheap, quick, available at all grocery store, and vegan!Warning : Its has a kick to it so I don't recommend it to people who can't handle a little spice!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Its been brought to my attention that I never posted this weeks PAYDAY pick, I apologize. This PAYDAY pick just arrived in stores last week and it was love at first sight!Apuesto Bag $388, available at select stores and on Anthropologie.com.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

I am an avid reader of all things chick-lit but it was somewhere between hot pink book covers that I realized I couldn't get my plot lines straight. They all had something to do with loosing love, gaining shoes, and ending up with a better man. Then I read Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search for Home and found everything I ever wanted. Kim Sunee, author of Trail of Crumbs, spent her twenties living in Europe and is now the food editor at Cottage Living. Trail of Crumbs is a story about love, food, travel, and Sunee's quest to find home. And great news... She's coming to New York!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

For some reason this holiday season all I want to do is buy for myself. I keep looking for great gift ideas for people and stumbling on things I feel like I NEED. And it doesn't help my cause that everything is on sale. I was shopping on gargyle.com and found this amazing Alice McCall bag on sale from $405 to $205! Check out McCall's "Rip Her to Shreds" patent black leather bag... and get it while it lasts.

I just recently acquired a new pair of JBrand jeans and I am so in love with the fit that I haven't be able to take them off in 2 days. I have a really hard time finding jeans that fit well because I have no rear and JBrand's do the trick. The other thing I love is the attention that the brand plays to detail. For example you can choose between a 14" and 16" ankle width or choose your waist height. I went for the "Bardot" high waist which was a risk but high waist, high risk, high reward.